Somdet To (1788–1872;

B.E. A Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded to a college graduate majoring in an engineering discipline at a higher education institution. In the United Kingdom, a Bac ...

2331–2415), known formally as Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi) (; ), was one of the most famous

Buddhist monks A ''bhikkhu'' (, ) is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male, and female monastics (''bhikkhunī''), are members of the Sangha (Buddhist community). The lives of all Buddhist monastics are governed by a set of rules called the prātimo ...

during Thailand's Rattanakosin period and continues to be the most widely known saintly monk in

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

. He is revered for spiritual powers and his amulets are sought after. His images and statues are some of the most popular religious icons in Bangkok.

Biography

Somdet To was born in

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, or locally and simply Ayutthaya (historically Juthia or Judia), is one of the central provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ang Thong, Lopburi, Saraburi, Pathum Than ...

, the illegitimate son of King

Rama II Phutthaloetla Naphalai (born Chim; 24 February 1767 or 1768 – 21 July 1824), also known by his regnal name Rama II, was the second King of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father R ...

. He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the

Pāli Canon The Pāḷi Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhism, Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the most complete extant Early Buddhist texts, early Buddhist canon. It derives mainly from t ...

with several Buddhist masters. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince

Mongkut Mongkut (18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IV. He reigned from 1851 until his death in 1868. The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization ini ...

, later King Rama IV, when Mongkut became a monk. During Rama IV's reign Somdet To was given the ceremonial name Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi – Buddh harya meaning teacher (acharya) of Buddhism) by the King and used to be one of his trusted advisers, having left a lot of teaching stories around him and the King. He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of

Thai poetry Poetry has been featured extensively in Thai literature, and constituted the near-exclusive majority of literary works up to the early Rattanakosin Kingdom, Rattanakosin period (early 19th century). Most of imaginative literary works in Thai, befor ...

to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets called Somdej. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand. He also appears in many versions of the story of the ghost ''

Mae Nak Phra Khanong Mae Nak Phra Khanong (, meaning 'Lady Nak of Phra Khanong'), or simply Mae Nak (, 'Lady Nak') or Nang Nak (, 'Miss Nak'), is a well-known Thai ghost. According to local folklore the story is based on events that took place during the reign ...

'', and he is said to be the one to finally subdue her. Somdet To also wrote the '' Jinapanjara'', a protective magical incantation which is widely chanted and used by Thais.

Legacy

Wat Luang Phor Toh in Sikhio Town features a golden statue representing Somdet To.

Sources

Legends of Somdet Toh, Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu

References

1788 births 1872 deaths Thai Theravada Buddhist monks Thai people of Mon descent {{Thailand-bio-stub